A research report submitted to the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health. September 2014 / Introduction: SCT is an interpersonal theory that explains human behaviour as a three-way relationship between personal factors, environmental factors and their behavioural factors (Bandura, 1989). The theory identifies self-efficacy and outcome expectations as part of the five key determinants of behaviour. Condom use still remains one of the most popular forms of HIV prevention, however its effectiveness depends on whether it is used consistently or not. The overall aim of the study was to determine whether condom self-efficacy and outcome expectations are associated with consistent condom use among sexually active 18-34 year olds in Botswana in 2010. Materials and Methods: The study design was a quantitative secondary analysis of nationally-representative cross-sectional survey collected by the PSI Botswana’s Condom Social Marketing TRaC: Tracking Results Continuously, 2010 survey (herein, TRaC). The study population for TRaC was men and women aged 18-34 years old in Botswana who reported being sexually active in the past 12 months and were not practicing abstinence when recruited in 2010. The sample size was 1299 which was randomly selected from 96 enumeration areas (EAs). Results: Self-efficacy to use condoms was positively associated with consistent condom use, while overall condom self-efficacy and self-efficacy to negotiate condom use were not associated with consistent condom use. Social outcome expectations and pleasure outcome expectation were also associated with consistent condom use, although overall outcome expectations and those related to health were not associated with consistent condom use. Males significantly reported significantly lower expectations of pleasure than females. That said, female were significantly less likely to use condoms consistently and some aspects of their self-efficacy and outcome expectations were worse than males, which also was reflected in measures of socio-demographic disadvantage. Conclusions: Overall the study showed that a high percentage of 18-34 year olds in Botswana in 2010 used condoms consistently regardless of their socio-demographic profile or the sexual partner type. Also, encouragingly, a high percentage of 18-34 year olds in Botswana had either moderate or positive condom self-efficacy as well as positive output expectations of condom use. The two constructs of SCT were inconsistent in predicting consistent condom use, which suggests that measures for the constructs must be refined and supplemented with additional explanatory variables. Some constructs can assist health communication practitioners. For instance, the findings suggest that messages the support the notion that sex can be pleasurable with a condom should be targeted towards both sexes, rather than primarily focusing on the health benefits. The lack of self-efficacy to use condoms also needs to be addressed, as well as the need for more messages that portray social support for condom use. Beyond SCT, the findings indicate, there needs to be further research on the specific gender differences in condom use patterns and condom promotion campaigns should produce gender-sensitive messaging.

Introdução: O uso de métodos anticonceptivos modernos pela maior parte das mulheres brasileiras não diminuiu, conforme esperado, assim como a ocorrência de gestações não desejadas, abortamentos e, consequentemente, mortes maternas, o que revela uso com perfil irregular e descontínuo. No Brasil, há pouca informação sobre os padrões e os determinantes da ocorrência dessas descontinuidades contraceptivas. Devido às inconsistências no uso de métodos serem relativamente comuns, é necessário mensurar o quanto as mulheres interrompem seu uso a despeito de não desejarem engravidar e/ou os alternam inúmeras vezes, nem sempre com opção por um método mais eficaz. Objetivo: Analisar os padrões e os determinantes das descontinuidades contraceptivas no uso da pílula oral, do hormonal injetável e do preservativo masculino. Método: Estudo longitudinal retrospectivo, conduzido com amostra probabilística de 1.551 mulheres de 18 a 49 anos de idade, usuárias de 57 Unidades Básicas de Saúde da cidade de São Paulo/SP (2015) e Aracaju/SE (2016). Os dados foram coletados por entrevista face a face usando o calendário contraceptivo. No Stata 14.2, as análises das taxas de descontinuidade contraceptiva no período de doze meses foram realizadas pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e dos fatores associados por meio dos Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais de Cox, ambos para descontinuidade total, abandono, troca para método menos eficaz e troca para método mais eficaz. Resultados: A taxa de descontinuidade total no uso de métodos foi 41,9% aos doze meses, sendo maior entre usuárias do preservativo masculino (48,1%), seguida de hormonal injetável (39,0%) e pílula oral (38,6%). Entre as usuárias de pílula oral, a taxa de abandono foi a maior; entre as usuárias do hormonal injetável, foi a troca para um método menos eficaz; e, entre as usuárias do preservativo masculino, foi a troca para um método mais eficaz. Os aspectos associados às descontinuidades variam segundo o tipo de método. A descontinuidade no uso da pílula oral foi associada à idade (18-24 anos), vivência de abortamento, incerteza quanto à intenção reprodutiva e aos efeitos colaterais/preocupação com a saúde. A descontinuidade no uso do hormonal injetável foi associada ao maior número de parceiros sexuais, à vivência de abortamento e aos efeitos colaterais/preocupação com a saúde. A descontinuidade no uso do preservativo masculino foi associada à idade (25-34 e 35-49 anos), à união conjugal, ao menor poder aquisitivo (classe econômica D/E) e ao maior número de filhos vivos. Conclusões: Foram observadas altas taxas de descontinuidades no uso de métodos contraceptivos, que variaram conforme o tipo de método. Chama a atenção o papel dos efeitos colaterais na determinação da ocorrência de descontinuidade no uso dos métodos hormonais. Por sua vez, a troca por método mais eficaz foi pouco frequente, com exceção das usuárias de preservativo masculino. Sugere-se ampliar o acesso aos métodos contraceptivos mais eficazes e de longa duração e melhorar a assistência em contracepção nos serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde, de forma a contemplar as necessidades de saúde das mulheres e seus direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. / Introduction: Use of modern contraceptive methods by the majority of Brazilian women did not reduce the occurrence of unintended pregnancies, abortions or maternal deaths as expected, which means that it might be an irregular and discontinuous use. In Brazil, there is a little information on the patterns and determinants of the occurrence of these contraceptive discontinuations. Because inconsistencies in the use of methods are relatively common, it is necessary to measure how much women discontinue their use despite they are willing to get pregnant and/or switching them countless times, not always with the option of a more efficient method. Objective: Our purpose is to investigate patterns and determinants of contraceptive discontinuations in the use of oral pill, hormonal injection and condom. Method: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study with probabilistic sample of 1,551 women among 18-49 year old who are primary users of 57 health care facilities, both in Sao Paulo (2015) city and Aracaju city (2016). Data were collected by face-to-face interview in line with contraceptive calendar. In Stata 14.2 analyzes of 12-month contraceptive discontinuation rates were performed using the Kaplan-Meier Survival Estimates method and associated factors using the Cox Proportional Hazards Models, both for total discontinuation, abandonment, and switching to a less efficient method and switching to more efficient method. Results: The discontinuation rate in the use of methods was 41.9% at 12 months, being higher among male condom users (48.1%), followed by hormonal injection (39.0%) and oral pill (38.6%). Among oral pill users, the abandon rate was the highest; among users of hormonal injections, was the switching to a less efficient method; and among male condom users, it was the switching to a more efficient method. The aspects associated to the discontinuations varied according to the type of method. Discontinuation of oral pill users was associated with age (18-24 years old), experience of abortion, uncertainty about reproductive intention and side effects/health concern. Discontinuation in the use of hormonal injections was associated with a greater number of sexual partners, the experience of abortion, and the side effects/health concern. Discontinuation of condom users was associated with age (25-34 and 35-49 years old), marital union, lower income and the highest number of live children. Conclusion: High discontinuation rates were observed in the use of contraceptive methods, which varied according to the type of method. The role of side effects/health concern in determining the occurrence of discontinuation in the use of hormonal methods is noteworthy. On the other hand, switching to more efficient method was infrequent, except for the male condoms users. It is suggested to amplify access to the more effective methods as well as long active also improving care in contraception in the all health care facilities services, in order to take into account both women health needs and their sexual and reproductive rights.

Introdução: O uso de métodos anticonceptivos modernos pela maior parte das mulheres brasileiras não diminuiu, conforme esperado, assim como a ocorrência de gestações não desejadas, abortamentos e, consequentemente, mortes maternas, o que revela uso com perfil irregular e descontínuo. No Brasil, há pouca informação sobre os padrões e os determinantes da ocorrência dessas descontinuidades contraceptivas. Devido às inconsistências no uso de métodos serem relativamente comuns, é necessário mensurar o quanto as mulheres interrompem seu uso a despeito de não desejarem engravidar e/ou os alternam inúmeras vezes, nem sempre com opção por um método mais eficaz. Objetivo: Analisar os padrões e os determinantes das descontinuidades contraceptivas no uso da pílula oral, do hormonal injetável e do preservativo masculino. Método: Estudo longitudinal retrospectivo, conduzido com amostra probabilística de 1.551 mulheres de 18 a 49 anos de idade, usuárias de 57 Unidades Básicas de Saúde da cidade de São Paulo/SP (2015) e Aracaju/SE (2016). Os dados foram coletados por entrevista face a face usando o calendário contraceptivo. No Stata 14.2, as análises das taxas de descontinuidade contraceptiva no período de doze meses foram realizadas pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e dos fatores associados por meio dos Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais de Cox, ambos para descontinuidade total, abandono, troca para método menos eficaz e troca para método mais eficaz. Resultados: A taxa de descontinuidade total no uso de métodos foi 41,9% aos doze meses, sendo maior entre usuárias do preservativo masculino (48,1%), seguida de hormonal injetável (39,0%) e pílula oral (38,6%). Entre as usuárias de pílula oral, a taxa de abandono foi a maior; entre as usuárias do hormonal injetável, foi a troca para um método menos eficaz; e, entre as usuárias do preservativo masculino, foi a troca para um método mais eficaz. Os aspectos associados às descontinuidades variam segundo o tipo de método. A descontinuidade no uso da pílula oral foi associada à idade (18-24 anos), vivência de abortamento, incerteza quanto à intenção reprodutiva e aos efeitos colaterais/preocupação com a saúde. A descontinuidade no uso do hormonal injetável foi associada ao maior número de parceiros sexuais, à vivência de abortamento e aos efeitos colaterais/preocupação com a saúde. A descontinuidade no uso do preservativo masculino foi associada à idade (25-34 e 35-49 anos), à união conjugal, ao menor poder aquisitivo (classe econômica D/E) e ao maior número de filhos vivos. Conclusões: Foram observadas altas taxas de descontinuidades no uso de métodos contraceptivos, que variaram conforme o tipo de método. Chama a atenção o papel dos efeitos colaterais na determinação da ocorrência de descontinuidade no uso dos métodos hormonais. Por sua vez, a troca por método mais eficaz foi pouco frequente, com exceção das usuárias de preservativo masculino. Sugere-se ampliar o acesso aos métodos contraceptivos mais eficazes e de longa duração e melhorar a assistência em contracepção nos serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde, de forma a contemplar as necessidades de saúde das mulheres e seus direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. / Introduction: Use of modern contraceptive methods by the majority of Brazilian women did not reduce the occurrence of unintended pregnancies, abortions or maternal deaths as expected, which means that it might be an irregular and discontinuous use. In Brazil, there is a little information on the patterns and determinants of the occurrence of these contraceptive discontinuations. Because inconsistencies in the use of methods are relatively common, it is necessary to measure how much women discontinue their use despite they are willing to get pregnant and/or switching them countless times, not always with the option of a more efficient method. Objective: Our purpose is to investigate patterns and determinants of contraceptive discontinuations in the use of oral pill, hormonal injection and condom. Method: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study with probabilistic sample of 1,551 women among 18-49 year old who are primary users of 57 health care facilities, both in Sao Paulo (2015) city and Aracaju city (2016). Data were collected by face-to-face interview in line with contraceptive calendar. In Stata 14.2 analyzes of 12-month contraceptive discontinuation rates were performed using the Kaplan-Meier Survival Estimates method and associated factors using the Cox Proportional Hazards Models, both for total discontinuation, abandonment, and switching to a less efficient method and switching to more efficient method. Results: The discontinuation rate in the use of methods was 41.9% at 12 months, being higher among male condom users (48.1%), followed by hormonal injection (39.0%) and oral pill (38.6%). Among oral pill users, the abandon rate was the highest; among users of hormonal injections, was the switching to a less efficient method; and among male condom users, it was the switching to a more efficient method. The aspects associated to the discontinuations varied according to the type of method. Discontinuation of oral pill users was associated with age (18-24 years old), experience of abortion, uncertainty about reproductive intention and side effects/health concern. Discontinuation in the use of hormonal injections was associated with a greater number of sexual partners, the experience of abortion, and the side effects/health concern. Discontinuation of condom users was associated with age (25-34 and 35-49 years old), marital union, lower income and the highest number of live children. Conclusion: High discontinuation rates were observed in the use of contraceptive methods, which varied according to the type of method. The role of side effects/health concern in determining the occurrence of discontinuation in the use of hormonal methods is noteworthy. On the other hand, switching to more efficient method was infrequent, except for the male condoms users. It is suggested to amplify access to the more effective methods as well as long active also improving care in contraception in the all health care facilities services, in order to take into account both women health needs and their sexual and reproductive rights.

This study investigated attitudes toward personal use of premarital contraception among sexually active adolescent males and females. All students within the selected classrooms were asked to complete questionnaires assessing attitudes toward contraception, contraceptive knowledge, and sociodemographic and sex-related life history variables. Subjects were rated with regard to their effectiveness of contraception (high, moderate, or low). Separate univariate analyses indicated the following: The low effectiveness group was more likely to perceive responsibility for contraception as belonging to the "opposite gender." Contraception attitudes and knowledge were positively related. Females were more knowledgable about contraception and has more favorable attitudes than males.

Jordan has a higher fertility rate (3.8) than the averages of countries similar in income to Jordan (2.2) and compared to the Middle East and North Africa region as a whole (2.8) (WHO, WB, UNICEF, & DHS, 2011). The findings of the 2009 Jordanian Population and Family Health Survey demonstrated that the total fertility rate (TFR) has stopped declining in the country since 2002 (DOS, 2010b; USAID, 2010). The prevalence of contraceptive use has also shown little change in Jordan over the last decade (DOS, 2010b; USAID, 2010). Given that contraception is one of the proximate determinants of fertility (Rahayu et al., 2009), the main purpose of this study was to investigate which factors are contributing to women's current contraceptive behavior and intention for future contraceptive use. Research questions were developed in a comprehensive framework that considers women's intention and actual behavior as outcomes of various interactive factors within a socio-cultural context. In particular, the study's framework was directed by a theoretical basis adapted from Ajzen and Fishbein's Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and an extensive review of the available literature in the research area. Obviously, the social set-up and cultural norms in the study setting, together with attitudes toward children and family, represent a traditional scenario that could help explain the consistency of fertility and contraceptive use in the country. Further, the influences of background characteristics on women's contraceptive behaviors and intentions provide another scenario that could help assess the current situation of family planning (FP) in Jordan. In this study, demographic factors, spousal communication variables and healthcare system-related factors are all defined as background characteristics. Attitudes and social norms reflect the women's behavioral determinants and represent the main constructs of the TRA. In fact, involving a set of factors related to women's beliefs and social norms in the study's framework provided an opportunity to explore how these factors might promote or inhibit a woman's intentions and behaviors in respect to contraceptive use. In a three-manuscript format, this research was designed to achieve a number of objectives. The first manuscript aimed at identifying the major factors associated with the current use of contraception among women of childbearing age in northern Jordan. The second manuscript focused on investigating the main factors that are associated with women's contraceptive method preference (e.g. the choice of modern contraceptives as effective methods in preventing pregnancy versus the choice of traditional contraceptives as methods with high failure rates). The third manuscript attempted to explore the key factors associated with women's intention for future contraceptive use since the existence of such an intention would consequently translate into an actual behavior later. In 2010, original cross-section data were collected by means of a face-to-face interview using a structured pre-tested survey. The study sample included women who were currently married and were between 18 and 49 years old. Applying a systematic random sampling procedure, all respondents were recruited from the waiting rooms of five randomly selected Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centers in the Governorate of Irbid, northern Jordan. Using a list provided by the Ministry of Health, all centers in the Governorate were stratified according to the region (urban vs. rural) and randomly selected in proportion to their number in each region. The final sample size for this research consisted of 536 women surveyed, giving a response rate of 92.4 percent. Utilizing logistic regression analyses, the results of the dissertation manuscripts indicate that women's behaviors and intentions toward the use of contraception are affected by a number of factors at the individual, familial and institutional levels. The findings that emerged from the three manuscripts provide health professionals and policy makers with important information to assist in the design of FP programs and campaigns aimed at increasing current contraceptive use, enhancing the adoption of modern contraception and motivating the intention for future contraceptive use. This research strongly suggests that health professionals develop health policies that both expand the availability of MCH centers and strengthen the role of healthcare providers to dispel the numerous rumors and misconceptions surrounding the use of contraceptives, particularly modern ones. Health workers at the MCH centers need to ensure that women have sufficient information about the benefits and side effects of different types of contraception by offering proper FP counseling. The messages that religious leaders can use in advocating for FP would also help make contraceptive use socially acceptable since their opinions are often followed by the majority. This would be a key step toward removing the barriers to contraceptive use. Moreover, to design effective FP interventions, planners should take into account women's attitudes toward the use of contraceptive methods and the components of those attitudes (e.g. women's approval of contraceptive use for birth spacing and perceptions regarding the value of large family sizes and the importance of having male children in Jordanian families). / Graduation date: 2012 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from May 9, 2012 - May 9, 2013